Should I Be Worried About The Cracks In My Foundation?

Cracks in the foundation is never a good sign. Whether or not you should be worrying about the crack depends on the type of crack and its structurability. As you can imagine, some cracks are going to be far more serious than others. However, not every crack in your foundation means that your house is going to fall down. Still, cracks should never be ignored.

Naturally, concrete cracks are only going to get worse with time. Even if they had started out as a nonstructural crack, it is bound to let water in if you leave it alone for too long. If left uncheck, even the smallest of hairline cracks could be a problem later on. At the very least, you should treat these cracks with a concrete crack injection. Surface caulking will not be enough to treat these cracks.

The size and the location of the concrete crack will help you to determine the type of material you will need. If the crake is only leaking, a polyurethane material should work well enough to stop the leak. However, if the crack is moving, then you should go with an epoxy-based material instead. The epoxy will help to bond the concrete and create a much more rigid material that will help keep the crack held in place.

Another method to help you tell whether you have a structural crack is the location and arrangement of the foundation crack.

Vertical cracks – are usually nonstructural within poured concrete walls. Normally, this vertical crack will be caused by the natural freeze and thaw cycle as the concrete expands and contracts. However, you should not be too alarmed by them as long as they are not leaking. A leaky crack however, will cause a large amount of water damage, mildew, and mold.

Horizontal cracks – that are on the lower half of the basement wall is a sign that the crack is most likely structural. If you spot these types of cracks in your wall, you may have a much more serious foundation problem and it will need immediate attention from a foundation repair contractor or service. Multiple cracks within the adjacent foundation walls can also be a sign that your foundation is moving and its structural integrity might be compromised. These cracks are typically caused by pressure building up on the opposite side of the wall.

Whether you have spotted the signs of serious foundation damage or just are concerned about a crack in your foundation, don’t hesitate to contact AAA Waterproofing for all your foundation repair needs.